Back to the Rubble: Palestinians Return to the Ruins of Gaza City

Displaced Palestinians have begun returning to Gaza City, the largest urban center in the Gaza Strip, only to find their hometown reduced to rubble after months of relentless Israeli bombardment.

Thousands of people have travelled north along Gaza’s coastal highway in recent days, hoping to go back to what remains of their homes. For many, the journey has been filled with both determination and despair — a desire to reclaim what little is left of their lives amid the ruins.

According to local and international observers, as much as three-quarters of the city’s buildings have been damaged or destroyed during the military offensive. Streets that were once filled with markets, schools, and homes are now lined with the skeletal remains of buildings, twisted metal, and dust.

Photos and footage emerging from the area show families climbing over piles of debris, searching for personal belongings, or simply standing in silence where their homes once stood. Children walk barefoot through the rubble; others try to salvage fragments of doors, windows, or furniture.

Despite the devastation, many say they felt compelled to return north. “There’s nothing left here,” one resident reportedly said, “but this is still our home.”

Humanitarian agencies continue to warn of acute shortages of water, electricity, and food across Gaza, particularly in the north, where infrastructure has been decimated. Aid convoys have struggled to reach the area due to ongoing security concerns and damaged roads.

As the displaced return to the ruins of Gaza City, the once-bustling metropolis now stands as a haunting symbol of loss — and of the resilience of those determined to rebuild their lives from the ashes.

About Author